Vereliz Santana

Vereliz Santana is Co-Vice President of the Newark Board of Education. She brings more than a decade of experience in government, politics, and community engagement, having served in senior roles with the New Jersey Senate, the City of Newark, and now as Director of Lawmaker Engagement at The States Project. On the Newark Board of Education, she is a leading advocate for equity and opportunity, championing English Language Learners, supporting students with disabilities, expanding wraparound services for families, and ensuring that all children have the resources they need to thrive. A daughter of Dominican immigrants, Vereliz brings cultural fluency, strategic discipline, and a deep commitment to uplifting Latino voices, building coalitions, and advancing policies that strengthen outcomes, improve lives, and create lasting opportunities for future generations.